Students get first look at refurbished facilities

A week after the public had its opportunity to tour the newly remodeled Colon Elementary and Colon Jr./Sr. High schools, the district’s students took their turn Tuesday.

By Jef RietsmaJournal Correspondent

A week after the public had its opportunity to tour the newly remodeled Colon Elementary and Colon Jr./Sr. High schools, the district’s students took their turn Tuesday.

From the onset of the day at Colon Jr./Sr. High, memories of a full year of construction and related distractions in 2011-12 were quickly a distant memory. Instead, students entered the fully refurbished and most technologically up-to-date school building in St. Joseph County.

The first-day-of-school novelty was not lost on a number of students.

Junior Darrin Abraham said the lack of construction and absence of construction workers was something he noticed almost immediately.

“Astonishment,” was his reply when asked his first reaction to the school’s appearance. “It feels like an entirely new building.”

His classmate, fellow junior Isabel Vigil, agreed. She said the difference between a year ago and Tuesday was tremendous. In addition, she mentioned the importance of a modern school for Colon’s current and potential new students.

“After all the years (the district) tried to get a millage passed, it was a big accomplishment when it finally did go through,” she said. “The school just looks more professional now and I think that will help bring more students to Colon.”

Billy Vaughn, also a junior, said he was especially impressed with the technological improvements, including smart boards, and audio and visual technology in the classrooms.

“I haven’t been in the locker rooms yet but I heard they have been redone and are completely different now,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting.”

Following up on a point made by Vaughn, high school math teacher Jason Burgess said he is especially glad to no longer have to write on a chalk board.

“No more inhaling chalk dust, either,” he said, adding that staff was given half a day of instruction on how to operate document cameras, sound systems and other visual aids that truly signify a leap in technology.

Starting his fifth year at Colon, Burgess said he hopes the students appreciate the $15 million gift the district’s taxpayers provided them when a millage request was approved two years ago. Funds raised through the millage allowed for the full renovation and technology upgrades at each of the district’s three schools.

Media specialist Beth Bennett said other than a need for more shelf space, which is expected to be rectified later, she was complimentary of the work.

“I like having more light coming into the media center and I really like the location being right in the front of the school,” she said. “It used to be at the end of the hallway and it was never really convenient; I’m hoping students will come in voluntarily more now that it’s in such a visible spot.”

Principal Debra Swartz said she saw a lot of wide-eyed students enter the building Tuesday. She said Magi pride was evident throughout the day.

“There was a lot of enthusiasm and the kids seemed really proud,” Swartz said. “It was the best first day we’ve had in a long time.”